New Zealand becomes a separate British colony

Background. New Zealand was administered as a dependency of the Colony of New South Wales until becoming a separate Crown colony on 3 May 1841. The relationship was formalised after a new definition of NSW's boundaries, that included New Zealand, arrived from London on 15 June 1839. This made Lieutenant-Governor Hobson answerable to his superior, the governor of New South Wales.

Legal Establishment. By letters patent, the British government issued the Charter for Erecting the Colony of New Zealand on 16 November 1840. The Charter stated that the Colony of New Zealand would be established as a de jure Crown colony separate from New South Wales on 3 May 1841. This legal framework facilitated the transition from dependency to independent colony status.

Governance. Captain William Hobson served as the first governor of New Zealand from 1841 to 1842. He was sworn in by the Chief Justice as Governor of New Zealand on 3 May 1841. With the establishment of the Crown colony, Hobson became governor of New Zealand, having previously served as lieutenant-governor under New South Wales.

Capital Location. The colony had three successive capitals: Okiato (or Old Russell) in 1841; Auckland from 1841 to 1865; and Wellington from 1865. The capital was initially at Russell/Okiato, not Wellington. Wellington became the capital later, following concerns that the South Island might form a separate colony.